Natsushima-class minelayer (1933)
# Natsushima-class minelayer (1933)

The Natsushima-class minelayer (夏島型敷設艇,, Natsushima-gata Fusetsutei) was a class of minelayers of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), serving during and after the 1930s through World War II. Their design was based on the Tsubame-class, but with increased armament.

## Ships in class

### Natsushima-class

Project number H5. 3 vessels were planned under the Maru 1 Programme, however, 3rd ship Sarushima was used to diesel engine experiment ship.

**Natsushima (夏島)**

* 24 December 1931: Laid down at Tōkyō Ishikawajima Zōsen.
* 24 March 1933: Launched.
* 31 July 1933: Completed.
* In 1934: Rebuilding after the Tomozuru Incident.
* In 1938: Sortie for the Second Sino-Japanese War.
* 1941-1943: Sortie for the naval mine laying at Japan Mainland.
* 10 December 1943: Dispatched to southeast area.
* 22 February 1944: Sunk by USS Stanly, USS Charles Ausburne and USS Dyson off Kavieng 02°40′S 149°40′E﻿ / ﻿2.667°S 149.667°E﻿ / -2.667; 149.667.
* 30 April 1944: Removed from naval ship list.

**Nasami (那沙美)**

* 19 January 1933: Laid down at Harima Zōsen.
* 26 March 1934: Launched.
* 20 September 1934: Completed.
* In 1938: Sortie for the Second Sino-Japanese War.
* 1941-1943: Sortie for the naval mine laying at Japan Mainland and convoy escort operations at East China Sea.
* 31 December 1943: Dispatched to southeast area.
* 1 April 1944: Sunk by air raid at Rabaul.
* 10 April 1944: Removed from naval ship list.

### Sarushima-class

Project number H5B. She was built as diesel engine experiment ship. Her results were made use of in the Sokuten-class.

**Sarushima (猿島)**

* 28 March 1933: Laid down at Mitsubishi, Yokohama shipyard.
* 16 December 1933: Launched.
* 20 July 1934: Completed.
* In 1938: Sortie for the Second Sino-Japanese War.
* 1941-1944: Sortie for the naval mine laying and convoy escort operations at Japan Mainland.
* 4 July 1944: Sunk by air raid off Otōto-jima.
* 10 September 1944: Removed from naval ship list.

## Photos

* Nasami in 1934.
* Sarushima in 1942.
